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US Forest Service to cut hazardous trees north of Red Feather Lakes

By Reporter-Herald Staff

Posted:
06/12/2013 10:54:28 PM MDT

U.S. Forest Service officials will close areas in the Lost Lake and Chicken Park areas north of Red Feather Lakes, both popular for dispersed camping, as crews cut hazardous trees that were killed by mountain pine beetle.

Chicken Park, Forest Service Road 181, typically opens this time of year, but the gate will remain closed until cutting and removal is completed, spokeswoman Reghan Cloudman said in a press release.

A temporary gate will be placed on Lost Lake, Forest Service Road 235, closing this area. Once work is completed there, the gate will be moved to Forest Service Road 180a and 180b, she said.

The closure is likely to last 30 to 60 days depending on conditions, and could start as early as Monday, Cloudman said.

Heavy equipment will be present, so the public is asked to respect the closures, she said.

Cloudman said forest visitors are asked to respect all signed closures and to take precaution in areas hit by mountain pine beetle.

"Make sure to look for open areas when selecting a location to camp or park. Take a saw or ax with you to remove fallen trees from roads to avoid becoming trapped," she said, adding, "Dead and live trees can fall without warning."

The cutting is part of the Red Feather Fuels Reduction Project.

For those looking for other places on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District to recreate, can visit fs.usda.gov/arp or call the visitor information line at 295-6700.

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